Convention aims for unity

Tuesday

Aug 26, 2008 at 12:01 AM

The New York Times

DENVER - Sen. Ted Kennedy, struggling with brain cancer, arrived last night at the Democratic National Convention in a triumphant appearance that evoked 50 years of party history as Democrats gathered to nominate Sen. Barack Obama for president.

Kennedy's appearance wiped away, at least for the evening, some of the tension that continued to plague the party in the wake of the primary fight between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. It also represented an effort by the Obama campaign to claim the Kennedy mantle, and it set the stage for the second part of what was designed to be an emotionally powerful two-act evening: an appearance later by Michelle Obama, who began a weeklong effort to present her husband - and his entire family - as embodiments of the American dream.

"You see, Barack doesn't care where you're from, or what your background is, or what party, if any, you belong to," said Michelle Obama, without explicitly mentioning the racial undercurrents that have swirled around her husband's candidacy. "You see, that's just not how he sees the world. He knows that thread that connects us - our belief in America's promise, our commitment to our children's future - he knows that that thread is strong enough to hold us together as one nation, even when we disagree."

At the end of the evening's proceedings, Obama appeared before the convention by video hookup, with his young daughters, Malia and Sasha, joining his wife on stage for what was clearly intended to transmit a loving American family tableau.

Even as Michelle Obama led the effort to present a warm and positive portrayal of her husband during the portion of the proceedings broadcast by network television, Democrats moved aggressively earlier in the proceedings to portray his likely Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, in harsh terms. In an early taste of coming efforts to define McCain negatively, they attacked him for his ties to President George W. Bush, his opposition to abortion rights and as being out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Americans.

"Republicans say John McCain has experience," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the House speaker. "We say John McCain has the experience of being wrong."

As elaborately choreographed as the evening was with a series of speeches carefully screened by the Obama campaign, it was marked by an event that no one was sure until the very last moment would happen, given the severity of Kennedy's illness. He arrived at the convention site here shortly before dusk, accompanied by a flock of family members. He walked a few halting steps to a waiting golf cart, which drove him into the arena.

After a speech by his niece Caroline Kennedy and a video tribute, Kennedy walked slowly to the lectern, limping slightly, with his wife, Victoria, who kissed him and left him there. His white head of hair was noticeably thinned in the back. The crowd, many of them wiping tears from their eyes, cheered for close to two minutes until he settled them down.

"My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here," said Kennedy, his voice booming across the hall. "And nothing - nothing - is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight."

"There is a new wave of change all around us," he said, "and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination - not merely victory for our party, but renewal for our nation. And this November, the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans.

"So with Barack Obama, and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause."

The Democrats' 2008 convention was gaveled to order with a procession of speakers - including a heavy representation of women and Hispanics - who began laying the foundation for what Obama and his advisers hope to accomplish over the next four days. Throughout the day, aides to Clinton, of New York, and Obama, of Illinois, worked to ease tensions over the Clintons' roles at the convention. Obama, in her speech, made a point of saluting Hillary Clinton's achievements.

From the beginning, Democratic leaders from across the country were assailing McCain in a way that made clear that the convention would not be a replay of the Democrats' genteel gathering in 2004.

"John McCain has spent more than 25 years in Washington voting against women's freedom," said Nancy Keenan, the head of Naral Pro-Choice America, "and has pledged to appoint justices to the Supreme Court who will overturn Roe v. Wade."

Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri said: "Know that this son of a single mom will stand up for the dreams of our daughters. And I know that John McCain won't."

Once Michelle Obama finished her speech, her husband's face appeared on a video screen from the home of a family in Kansas City. "Now you know why I asked her out so many times, even though she said no," he said. "You want a persistent president."

"What city are you in, Daddy?" interrupted Sasha, who is by now accustomed to late-night video conferences with her forever-traveling father.

"I'm in Kansas City, sweetie," he responded. "I want you guys to look after Mommy. I'll see you guys!"

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